KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz is sitting out the anti-ICERD rally as he is satisfied with the government’s decision to not ratify the anti-racial discrimination convention.
“I won’t attend. I’m very focused on what I want from the government – that is, for them to retract the decision to ratify it, and they’ve done that. I’m satisfied.
“If we can’t believe the Prime Minister then who can we believe?” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here on Tuesday (Dec 4).
Saying that the ICERD is “no longer an issue”, Umno’s Padang Rengas MP stressed that it was his personal choice to sit out the rally, which would be attended by PAS and Umno members.
“I think I clearly said that what I wanted from the government, I have received – that is, for them to not ratify the ICERD.
“I’m very conscious with what I want and I’m very happy with the decision. Personally, I don’t think there’s a need for me to be present,” he reiterated.
The former Tourism and Culture Minister also said that he was very happy that the government had given the rally the go-ahead.
“This is in line with their ‘New Malaysia’,” he added.
Both PAS and Umno have declared they would join the rally at Jalan Raja on Saturday (Dec 8), as will members of Malay rights group Perkasa.
The debate over ICERD (the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) erupted after a speech by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the UN General Assembly in September, where he said the Pakatan Harapan government would ratify the remaining human rights conventions endorsed by the world body.
However, after protests and threats of Malays running “amok” by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the government backtracked and said it would not ratify the anti-racial discrimination convention.
The organisers said the rally would now be one of celebration, rather than protest.
Malaysia is one of only 14 countries in the world that have yet to ratify ICERD, along the likes of North Korea, Myanmar and South Sudan.
Zahid: Adhere to the law on Dec 8
SUNGAI SIPUT: Umno has reminded party members who will attend the gathering on Dec 8 to adhere to the laws and regulations relating to public assembly
Party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also reminded party members not to resort to any provocation, disturb the peace or cause riots.
He urged participants at the gathering which will take place at the federal capital to adhere to the regulations.
The regulations, he said were part of the conditions contained in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
He adds that Umno will continue to provide support to Gerakan Pembela Ummah (UMMAH) who are organisers of the gathering.
Zahid said this as Pas had stated that its participation in the gathering was as a sign of thankfulness whereas non-governmental-organisations had stated that their participation was as a sign of support.
He adds that Umno’s participation in the gathering was as a sign of appreciation (to the government for not ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
Zahid said this to reporters after attending a meeting with state Umno leaders.
He adds that all 191 party divisions nationwide would send participants to the gathering.
On his meeting state Umno leaders, he said there were no problems associated with Umno branches in the state.
As such he believes that Umno would not be dissolved due to machinations from within the party.
Umno, PAS expect 500,000 supporters at anti-ICERD rally
ABOUT half a million people are expected to turn up for Saturday’s rally to oppose the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), said Umno Supreme Council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
The party is estimating some 200,000 supporters to show up, while Islamist party PAS is expecting 300,000, he said.
“So you can expect 500,000 people will gather in white shirts. Kuala Lumpur will be ‘bleached’ (diputihkan), we will make it white on the 8th,” the Pasir Salak MP told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.
THE STAR / NST / THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT
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